Regional planning agency Compass tells Middleton population and jobs will rise sharply; identifies $5.4B funding gap
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Summary
Compass executive director Craig Rayborn told Middleton’s council on Nov. 5 that the region’s long‑range plan forecasts population and job growth through 2055 and that identified transportation needs outpace available funds by roughly $5.4 billion.
Compass (Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho) presented regional planning projections and funding tools to Middleton City Council on Nov. 5, warning of substantial growth and a persistent transportation funding shortfall.
Craig Rayborn, Compass executive director, said the agency’s long‑range plan, Communities in Motion, projects local population in the area of impact to roughly double by 2055 while jobs could triple. Rayborn said identified regional project needs total about $16.5 billion; estimated available funding across sources (federal, state, local) totals roughly $11 billion, leaving a shortfall of about $5.4 billion and an annual gap of about $193 million in transportation investment.
Rayborn described Compass’s services: regional planning coordination, stewardship of federal transportation funds as the metropolitan planning organization, technical assistance, a resource development (grant) program, and annual small grant rounds. He said Compass’s board adopted state legislative priorities focusing on revenue increases, managing growth impacts and aligning housing and transportation. Rayborn encouraged Middleton to apply for Compass small planning or construction grants and noted the current application window closes Nov. 19.
Councilmembers asked how funding mechanisms interact (ITD, LTAC, county and local pots). Rayborn explained that larger projects must go through Compass’s planning and be listed in the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP); ITD and other agencies coordinate with Compass and serve on advisory committees.
Why it matters: Middleton is in a rapidly growing region; Compass’s data and funding programs shape which regional transportation projects are eligible for federal and state funds and help local governments coordinate planning and grant applications.
Provenance: Compass presentation and Q&A began at 00:18:21 and continued through the staff Q&A period ending about 00:42:20.
